Nodaway County
MO · Pop. 20,959 · Rural County
Nodaway County sits in Missouri across 877 square miles, home to 20,959 people at 23.9 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $165,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.81%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F and average winter lows of 16.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mosaic Medical Center - Maryville is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.81% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $165,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mosaic Medical Center - Maryville, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 18.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Nodaway County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 75/100
- Median home price
- $165k
- Property tax
- 0.81%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.3"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Mosaic Medical Center - Maryville, 2.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Nodaway County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Nodaway County?
- Nodaway County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F, and average winter lows of 16.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $165,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.81%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mosaic Medical Center - Maryville is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Nodaway County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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